Apparatus for flushing water-closets



(No Model.)

A. J. FINNEGAN. APPARATUS FOR FLUSHING WATER. GLOSETS.

Patented Apr. I 1890-.

N. PETERS. Fhulcumngnphur, Washingufl, 0 0.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREW J. FINNEGAN, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

APPARATUS FOR FLUSHlNG WATER-CLOSETS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 424,871, dated April 1, 1890.

Application filed June 5, I889. Serial No. 313,165. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANDREW J. FINNEGAN, of Minneapolis, county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Apparatus for Flushing WVater-Olosets; and I do hereby declare that the followingis'a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use'it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

My invention relates to an improvement in apparatus for flushing water-closets; and it consists in the peculiar construction and combination of devices that will be more fully set forth hereinafter, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

The object of my invention is to provide an apparatus which is adapted to automatically flush the closet at regular intervals of time, and is also adapted to be operated by hand whenever the closet is used, or at any other time desired.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional view of an apparatus embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the valve, taken on the line X X of Fig. 1.

The tank A has the siphon B, the shorter arm of which extends within a slight distance of the bottom of the tank, and the said siphon has the seat 0 on its longer arm at a suitable distance above the bottom of the tank. The valve D, arranged on the valve-seat and adapted to open and close the same, is provided with a guide E. Alever F is fulorumed 011 a support on the upper side of the tank. The shorter arm of the lever is connected to the valve D by a cord or rod G, and from the longer arm of the lever depends a cord or pullrod II.

On the upper side of the tank, at one end thereof, is secured a valve-case I, with which communicate the water-supply pipe K and the pipe L, the latter extending down to within a slight distance of the bottom of the tank.

The portion M of the valve-case between the ends of the pipes K L has its channel N reduced in diameter, and at the inner end of the channel is a valve-seat O, which has an annular flange P. In the lower side of the flange and extending across the same is a leak-channel R of very much reduced diameter, and consequently of but slight capacity.

In the arm S of the valve-case, which projects outward beyond the upper end of pipe L, is arranged a reciprocating valve T, which has a depending tappet U, that works in a longitudinal slot V in the lower side of the arm. A cap IV is secured to thcouter end of the arm to close the same, and the said arm has a pair of depending ears X, between which is pivoted a bell-crank lever Y. The upper end of the bell-crank lever is in engagement with the tappet T of the valve and to the lower end of the bell-crank lever is secured an arm Z, that has a float A at its outer end, adapted to rise and fall with the level of the water in the tank. The inner end of the valve, which is presented to the valve-seat, has a circular countersink B, in which is compressed a packing C, of leather or other suitable material, and is adapted to effect atight joint between the valve and its seat when the valve is closed.

The operation of my improved apparatus is as follows: Then the water has been drawn from the tank by the siphon to flush the closet, the float is at the lower limit of its movement and has caused the bell-crank lever to open the valve, and hence water flows through the pipe K, valve-case, and pipe L into the tank, and as the level of the water rises in the tank, the float rises with it and gradually closes the valve. The channel N, however, remains open, and consequently a small stream of water continues to flow into the tank and the water to rise, but very slowly. \Vhen the water in the tank reaches the required level and begins to flow down the siphon-valve, the siphon is started in operation and all the water is drawn from the tank and caused to flow through the bowl and escapepipe of the closet and effectually flush them.

From the foregoing it will be understood that my improved apparatus is adapted to automatically flush the closet at regular intervals of time, no matter whether the closet is used or not, and hence the closet and the escape-pipe leading therefrom will be kept clean and sweet at all times.

The arm to which the float is attached may be bent to any angle required to cause the float to close the valve when the water in the tank reaches any required level.

The lever connected to the siphon-valve may be operated by hand when desired to flush the closet in the usual manner.

Having thus described my invention, I claim-- The water-closet flushing apparatus, comprising the tank, the valve-ease thereon, having the supply-pipe K at one end, the chan nel N, the seat 0 at the inner end of said channel, having the annular flange P and the leak-channel R across the same, the hollow arm S, extending beyond the seat and having the slot V in its lower side, and the depending ears X, the cap \V,serewed to the outer end of said arm, the reoi procatin g valve T, guided in the arm S and having the tappet U in slot V, said valve being adapted to close against seat 0, the lever Y, fnleru med between ears X, having the short arm engaging tappet U and having the float on its long arm, the pipe L, attached to the hollow arm S and extending down in the tank, the siphonB 1n the tank, having the seat C on its longer arm, and the valve D, provided with the guide E, working in lugs on the siphon, and the lever F, connected to said valve D, all arranged and adapted to operate substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I append my signature.

ANDREW J. FINN-EGAN. lVitnesses:

A. E. SIMSON, A. HOLT. 

